Saying he expected the latest movement control order (MCO) to be extended if the number of cases did not decrease, Salleh Said Keruak added that it was, therefore, vital for such aid to be given.

Aid should especially go to the self-employed or those in gig economies, like e-hailing drivers, as they are without any social safety net, like Socso contributions.

The former Sabah chief minister also said businessmen and hawkers had yet to fully recover from the first MCO implemented in March last year.

“Even though there has been some relaxation (in terms of restrictions), they are just beginning to resuscitate their businesses,” he said in a blogpost.

Salleh went on to say that the pandemic had affected the global economy and cited a United Nations report which stated that over 826,000 Malaysians were retrenched last year, while the unemployment rate stood at 5.3%.

He also said news reports had quoted business associations expressing concern that their members needed aid and incentives to survive or risks closing shop.

“A more worker-centric financial package and incentives should also be given so more can be employed, especially fresh graduates.”

On Monday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that five states would come under a 14-day MCO.

The five states are Selangor, Penang, Melaka, Johor, Sabah and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya.

A conditional MCO has been imposed on Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.

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